The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) is a State Corporation established under section 29G of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, as amended by the Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Act No. 15 of 2026. KEFRI is the successor to the Institute previously established under the Science, Technology and Innovation Act and is the lead government agency for forestry research and development in Kenya. Its headquarters are in Kiambu County, with provision for research centres, innovation and incubation hubs across the country.
KEFRI leads forestry research and development by generating and disseminating scientific knowledge, technologies and innovations for the sustainable development, conservation, management and restoration of forests and allied natural resources. The Institute's mandate is to:
Undertake forest and biodiversity research in forestry and allied natural resources.
Develop and transfer forestry technologies and innovations.
Develop and supply quality tree seed and germplasm.
Build capacity of stakeholders through training in forestry and allied natural resources.
Conduct policy research to support evidence-based forestry development.
Manage and disseminate forestry knowledge and research findings.
Establish partnerships that promote forestry development and sustainable livelihoods.
A research centre of excellence in forestry and allied natural resources for sustainable development.
To conduct research in forestry and allied natural resources for sustainable development through innovations, capacity building and technology transfer.
Committed to high standards of professionalism.
Promote, support and implement new ideas, methods and products.
Uphold honesty, high moral standards and intolerance to corruption.
Build cordial working relations and team spirit.
Equal access to opportunities and resources.
Strive to attain sustainable networks and partnerships.
Oriented to customer needs and satisfaction.
KEFRI undertakes research and provides technologies and information for sustainable management, conservation and development of forests and allied natural resources. The Institute is ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMS) certified and therefore conforms to international standards on environmental and quality management and relevant national legislations and its research meets international standards.
KEFRI headquarters is located in Muguga, 23 km north-west of Nairobi, off Nairobi - Nakuru highway. KEFRI has 5 regional research programmes with head offices in Gede, Kitui, Muguga, Londiani and Maseno. The Institute has one National Forest Products Research Centre located in Karura.
KEFRI currently undertakes its research and development activities under five thematic areas namely, and implements them across five (5) Eco-region Research Programmes covering all the agro-ecological zones of the country:
Forest Productivity, Health and Tree Improvement (FPHTI)
Forest Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Environment Management (FBCCEM)
Forest Products and Entrepreneurship Development (FPED)
Socio-Economic Policy and Governance (SPG)
Forest Research Support Services (FRSS)
Coast Eco-Region Research Programme (CERP)
Drylands Eco-Region Research Programme (DERP)
Central Highlands Eco-Region Research Programme (CHERP)
Rift Valley Eco-Region Research Programme (RVERP)
Lake Victoria Eco-Region Research Programme (LVERP).
KEFRI also runs one National Forest Products Research Programme (NFPRP). These Eco-regional Research Programmes have their main centres in Gede, Kitui, Muguga, Londiani, Maseno and Karura respectively. KEFRI headquarters is situated at Muguga.
These thematic areas are supported by Corporate Affairs and Quality Assurance and Corporate Services Directorate that include Finance, Human Resource Management, Administration, Supply Chain Management, Revenue Generation Unit, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, National and County Technical Liaison, Planning, Strategy & Risk Management, Monitoring & Evaluation Corporation Secretary & Legal Services and Internal Audit.
Forestry research in Kenya begins as a unit of the then Forest Department. The unit later becomes a research branch focusing on applied research in forest silviculture, entomology, pathology and wood utilization.
The East Africa Agricultural and Forestry Organization (EAAFRO) is established at Muguga under the East Africa High Commission to undertake regional research including tree breeding, forest pathology, forest entomology and catchment hydrology.
The research branch is transformed into a Research Conservancy of the Forest Department of EAAFRO.
Following the breakup of the East African Community (EAC), EAAFRO is disbanded.
The Research Division of EAAFRO and the Research Conservancy of the Forest Department are merged into the Forestry Research Department of the newly created Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI).
The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) is established as a state corporation under the Science and Technology Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Kenya, to focus on forestry research.
The Science and Technology Act is repealed by the Science, Technology and Innovation Act No. 28 of 2013.
KEFRI is also mandated under the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 to undertake forestry research.
KEFRI is anchored under section 29G of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, via the Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Act No. 15 of 2026.